Letting go

By Wendy McFadden, publisher of Brethren Press and Communications

In an essay about lost gloves, Chicago Tribune columnist Mary Schmich passes along the story of a woman who exited a train car and discovered that she had only one of her gloves. Just before the doors closed behind her, she tossed it back inside. “Better someone had two, if not her,” the storyteller recounted.

I know I couldn’t have acted so quickly, and I’m not sure that my first impulse would have been so generous. But with little hesitation, the woman leaving the train shifted from thinking of herself to thinking of someone else, from regretting the lost glove to giving her pair to another traveler. How does one learn to let go so easily?

There are people who give something up for Lent, but this month I’m thinking more about letting go. These are different, but not completely. Giving something up is about sacrifice; letting go is about freedom. Both clear space for what matters. Both can provide spiritual focus.

What shall we let go of?

  • Stuff that weighs us down—single gloves awaiting lost mates, unused dishes, clothes that don’t fit. I recently let go of the heaviest thing in the house, an upright piano that was too big for our small living room. (I thought someday I might take lessons, but let the unfulfilled idea go out the door with the piano.)
  • The compulsion to acquire more. It’s bad for us, our neighbors, and the earth. And someday we’ll have to haul that stuff to the second-hand store.
  • The need to be in control. We’re not. Go ahead and make long-range plans, but hold them lightly.
  • Resentments and complaints. Grudges are easy to nurse, but they eventually poison our hearts. Resentment can actually shorten our lives.
  • Fear of what might happen. We are not our best selves when we are afraid. Sometimes fear is a weapon used against others; sometimes it’s a cancer that attacks its own body. Either way it’s too violent for those who want to build peace.
  • Outrage. Sometimes it’s justifiable and sometimes it works, but it’s caustic. We would do better replacing outrage with lament and compassion and action.

That’s a lot of letting go, but if we keep practicing it will become easier—even second nature. When the doors are closing, we can turn losses into something good. We can be the stories that are passed along to others, who happily hold them as warm gifts in cold hands.

This reflection was originally featured in the March issue of Messenger magazine. Learn more or subscribe to Messenger today at www.brethren.org/messenger.

(Read this issue of eBrethren.)

Mary!

2015 COVER


John 20:1-18

Question:
But now, thus says the Lord, your Creator, O Jacob,
And He who formed you, O Israel,
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name; you are Mine! ”           (Isaiah 43:1)
These words leap off the page into my heart. With these words I am called to swift passage into the waiting arms of Jesus.
He knows your name. How does knowing this release you to live within the confines of today?


Prayer:

Amazing God! Amazing love! Thank you this day for your amazing Gift … and calling me your own. May I rest in that love. Help me to recognize my identity and acceptance in you. Amen.

~ Randi Rowan, Program Assistant

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Lent Devotional written by Craig H. Smith, district executive for the Atlantic Northeast District of the Church of the Brethren and ordained minister. (Available from Brethren Press in print and E-Book formats). Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Craig’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.

They laid Jesus there

2015 COVER


John 19:38-42

Question:
His presence was gone. They felt empty, anxious and alone. The only time when Jesus would not be available to them. So then, imagine
the warmth and joy they felt when He appeared with a promise – He would be with them … always.
How do you deal with your circumstances? Is there a way you can be still in His company and gain His peace?

 

Prayer:
God, teach us to live in the secret of your presence.
Amen.

~ Randi Rowan, Program Assistant

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Lent Devotional written by Craig H. Smith, district executive for the Atlantic Northeast District of the Church of the Brethren and ordained minister. (Available from Brethren Press in print and E-Book formats). Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Craig’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.

I am He

2015 COVER

John 18:1-14, 28-40a; 19:13-25

Question:
“I am He.”  With these words, Jesus says so much more than what his soon-to-be captors realize. Our journey to maturity starts and ends here. How do we grow in capacity to deal with difficult life-spaces?  Where do we go when we lose God’s shalom / peace? Whom do you seek?.


Prayer:

Father, remind me that navigating life’s most difficult places sometimes requires only the simplest of maneuvers – that of sitting at your feet and talking about my emotions and thoughts.  Help me to perceive your presence and insight. And listen …. listen as one being taught.
Amen

~ Randi Rowan, Program Assistant

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Lent Devotional written by Craig H. Smith, district executive for the Atlantic Northeast District of the Church of the Brethren and ordained minister. (Available from Brethren Press in print and E-Book formats). Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Craig’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.

Do you know what I’ve done?

2015 COVERJohn 13:1-17, 31-35

Prayer:
O God, open our eyes to see examples of servant leadership in our midst. Increase our care and compassion. Encourage us to be of service, to see where there is need and to respond. Strengthen and empower us to do more, to reach out, to move from apathy to empathy, and to follow Jesus today and each and every day. Amen.


Question:

As Jesus surprised Peter by washing his feet, we might be surprised by those who join in Lenten practices to be in solidarity with their Christian neighbors: http://www.eidpraylove.com/
How does faith lead you to connect with others in love and service?

~ Debbie Eisenbise, Director of Intergenerational Ministries

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Lent Devotional written by Craig H. Smith, district executive for the Atlantic Northeast District of the Church of the Brethren and ordained minister. (Available from Brethren Press in print and E-Book formats). Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Craig’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.

In the company of Judas

2015 COVER

John 13:21-32
Prayer:
O God, hear our confession: too long have we thought only of ourselves. Forgive us.
Help us, we pray, to be about Your work in this world. Strengthen our allegiance to Jesus, our connection with the Body of Christ, and our love for You, O God. May we truly be Your people in this world, a community of the faithful. Make us Your own and bless us, we pray. Amen.

Question:
How do you view success? Do you long for it or run from it? Is there a way that you can view success in a different way in your day to day life?

~ Debbie Eisenbise, Director of Intergenerational Ministries

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Lent Devotional written by Craig H. Smith, district executive for the Atlantic Northeast District of the Church of the Brethren and ordained minister. (Available from Brethren Press in print and E-Book formats). Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Craig’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.

A troubled soul

2015 COVER

John 12:20-36

Question:
What is your deepest need at this moment? How do you sense God’s presence with you in the midst of your need?


Prayer:

O God, in our brokenness, and in that of others, we know You are present. We know that through Christ Jesus, there is nothing that separates us from Your great love. Thank you. We are humbled by Your love and grateful for Your presence. In silence and in wonder, we pause and pray. Amen.

~ Debbie Eisenbise, Director of Intergenerational Ministries

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Lent Devotional written by Craig H. Smith, district executive for the Atlantic Northeast District of the Church of the Brethren and ordained minister. (Available from Brethren Press in print and E-Book formats). Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Craig’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.

A costly offering

2015 COVER

John 12:1-11 

Prayer:
O God, You give us so much. Life itself is a gift. You call us to live with open minds, open hearts and open hands. We hear You, God. We thank You.
This day we ask for the vision and creativity of Mary, to seize the moment and give the unexpected gift, the costly offering. We ask for her courage and compassion, to reach out and show care for others even if we are criticized and maligned for doing so. And we ask for her humility, to receive Your protection and blessing whenever we step out in faith. Guide us, we pray. Amen.

Question:
How will you step out in faith, live compassionately, give generously throughout this day?

 

~ Debbie Eisenbise, Director of Intergenerational Ministries

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Lent Devotional written by Craig H. Smith, district executive for the Atlantic Northeast District of the Church of the Brethren and ordained minister. (Available from Brethren Press in print and E-Book formats). Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Craig’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.

Holy preparations

2015 COVER

Mark 11: 1-11; 14: 1-16


Reflection:
Preparation is definitely an important part of our life, as talked about in the devotional today. But what happens when our plans and preparations need to be adjusted? Palm Sunday is one of my favorite days out of the year, mostly because of a family story of Palm Sunday 1992. The church that my family attends, at that time only allowed children up to grade 3 wave the palms in the parade that are typical in most churches. This Palm Sunday was the last year that my sister was allowed to wave the palms and she was excited and prepared to do so. However, her preparations were derailed as she and my brothers, instead of being in church, were at my grandmother’s house because my mother was preparing to give birth to me. Our preparations do not always go to plan; I’m sure Jesus’ disciples had preparations that Palm Sunday long ago that needed to be adjusted in the following week and beyond.

Question:
What are you preparing for currently? How could your preparations change?

Prayer:
God, help us to prepare, but also help us to adjust when Your plans require us to create new preparations. Amen.

~ Laura Whitman, Special Projects Coordinator

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Lent Devotional written by Craig H. Smith, district executive for the Atlantic Northeast District of the Church of the Brethren and ordained minister. (Available from Brethren Press in print and E-Book formats). Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Craig’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.

A righteous Branch

2015 COVER

Jeremiah 33:14-16

Question:
The idea of there being those days and that time can be limiting and causing individuals to be stuck. What are some ways we can actively work towards “The Branch” today?

Prayer:
God, allow us to look forward to the days that you have promised and still remain present in the work You require of us today. Amen.

~ Laura Whitman, Special Projects Coordinator

Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren is offering these simple prayers and questions in connection to this year’s Lent Devotional written by Craig H. Smith, district executive for the Atlantic Northeast District of the Church of the Brethren and ordained minister. (Available from Brethren Press in print and E-Book formats). Join us as we look and listen for the coming of the Word through the reading of scripture, Craig’s reflections, times of prayer, and conversations on this blog.